USA Republican Congressman resigns on complaint and inquiry about him asking aide to be surrogate mother; I admire USA society for such efforts to make it better
Rep. Trent Franks offered $5 million to aide to bear his child, resigns amid inquiry, https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/rep-trent-franks-facing-ethics-investigation-says-he-will-resign-immediately/2017/12/08/bec2f630-dc55-11e7-b859-fb0995360725_story.html, 8th Dec. 2017.
The article states that the unnamed former lady aide of USA Republican Congressman, Trent Franks, told Associated Press that she "was asked a few times to look over a ‘contract’ to carry his child, and if I would conceive his child, I would be given $5 million."
The USA House of Representatives Ethics committee seems to have investigated Rep. Franks for behaviour "that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment." They also came to know that the Congressman had asked two female aides (employees) of his to be a surrogate mother.
House Speaker, Republican Paul Ryan, after the quick investigation, asked Congressman Franks to resign. Franks resigned and made this statement: https://twt-media.washtimes.com/media/misc/2017/12/07/Trent_Franks_Leaving_Congress.pdf. I have provided the full statement contents later on in this post. But an important extract of his statement is: "I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.
However, I do want to take full and personal responsibility for the ways I have broached a topic that, unbeknownst to me until very recently, made certain individuals uncomfortable. And so, I want to shed light on how those conversations came about."
Ravi: I commend USA Speaker Paul Ryan and the USA House Ethics committee for listening seriously to the lady making the complaint, conducting an investigation, and later asking the Congressman to resign. The lady who made the complaint was given guidance and courage to do so by another lady who should also be commended for that help she gave.
I find the statement of Congressman Franks to be a good one where he acknowledges the mistakes he committed, though he says he did it not knowing that his actions would make "certain individuals uncomfortable". I think the Congressman should also be commended for this statement.
I must say that I think the USA House of Representatives and its House Speaker, Paul Ryan, have shown the way to other democratic countries which may be facing similar sexual harassment type behaviour from elected representatives towards women, on how to deal with such matters in a strict way.
Here are the contents of Congressman Trent Franks resignation statement:
Congressman Trent Franks statement on leaving Congress
I have always tried to create a very warm and supportive atmosphere for every last person who has ever worked in my congressional office. It is my deepest conviction that there are many staffers, former and present, who would readily volunteer to substantiate this fact.
Given the nature of numerous allegations and reports across America in recent weeks, I want to first make one thing completely clear. I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.
However, I do want to take full and personal responsibility for the ways I have broached a topic that, unbeknownst to me until very recently, made certain individuals uncomfortable. And so, I want to shed light on how those conversations came about.
My wife and I have long struggled with infertility. We experienced three miscarriages.
We pursued adoption on more than one occasion only to have the adoptive mothers in each case change their mind prior to giving birth.
A wonderful and loving lady, to whom we will be forever grateful, acted as a gestational surrogate for our twins and was able to carry them successfully to live birth. The process by which they were conceived was a pro-life approach that did not discard or throw away any embryos.
My son and daughter are unspeakable gifts of God that have brought us our greatest earthly happiness in the 37 years we have been married.
When our twins were approximately 3 years old, we made a second attempt with a second surrogate who was also not genetically related to the child. Sadly, that pregnancy also resulted in miscarriage.
We continued to have a desire to have at least one additional sibling, for which our children had made repeated requests.
Due to my familiarity and experience with the process of surrogacy, I clearly became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others.
I have recently learned that the Ethics Committee is reviewing an inquiry regarding my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.
We are in an unusual moment in history – there is collective focus on a very important problem of justice and sexual impropriety. It is so important that we get this right for everyone, especially for victims.
But in the midst of this current cultural and media climate, I am deeply convinced I would be unable to complete a fair House Ethics investigation before distorted and sensationalized versions of this story would put me, my family, my staff, and my noble colleagues in the House of Representatives through hyperbolized public excoriation. Rather than allow a sensationalized trial by media damage those things I love most, this morning I notified House leadership that I will be leaving Congress as of January 31st, 2018. It is with the greatest sadness, that for the sake of the causes I deeply love, I must now step back from the battle I have spent over three decades fighting. I hope my resignation will remain distinct from the great gains we have made. My time in Congress serving my constituents, America and the Constitution is and will remain one of God’s greatest gift to me in life.
--- end contents of Congressman Franks' statement ----
Ravi: Later the Congressman advanced his resignation to Friday, 8th December 2017 citing his wife's hospitalization a day earlier.
I wish former USA Congressman Trent Franks and his family all the best for the future. I also wish the lady(ies) who made the complaint against him, all the best.
This is a truly extraordinary period in the USA where USA society is so openly dealing with the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace in the USA. I admire USA society for having such a public conversation with the objective of facing up to the reality of the problem even if it is very uncomfortable to do so, with an intention of making a change in USA society for the better. I even think it is inspiring to see such efforts. May God bless the USA and its people for such efforts aimed at making USA society better.
[I thank USA (former) Congressman Trent Franks and washingtonpost.com and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above statement of Mr. Franks and short extracts from/references to washingtonpost.com website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
The article states that the unnamed former lady aide of USA Republican Congressman, Trent Franks, told Associated Press that she "was asked a few times to look over a ‘contract’ to carry his child, and if I would conceive his child, I would be given $5 million."
The USA House of Representatives Ethics committee seems to have investigated Rep. Franks for behaviour "that constitutes sexual harassment and/or retaliation for opposing sexual harassment." They also came to know that the Congressman had asked two female aides (employees) of his to be a surrogate mother.
House Speaker, Republican Paul Ryan, after the quick investigation, asked Congressman Franks to resign. Franks resigned and made this statement: https://twt-media.washtimes.com/media/misc/2017/12/07/Trent_Franks_Leaving_Congress.pdf. I have provided the full statement contents later on in this post. But an important extract of his statement is: "I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.
However, I do want to take full and personal responsibility for the ways I have broached a topic that, unbeknownst to me until very recently, made certain individuals uncomfortable. And so, I want to shed light on how those conversations came about."
Ravi: I commend USA Speaker Paul Ryan and the USA House Ethics committee for listening seriously to the lady making the complaint, conducting an investigation, and later asking the Congressman to resign. The lady who made the complaint was given guidance and courage to do so by another lady who should also be commended for that help she gave.
I find the statement of Congressman Franks to be a good one where he acknowledges the mistakes he committed, though he says he did it not knowing that his actions would make "certain individuals uncomfortable". I think the Congressman should also be commended for this statement.
I must say that I think the USA House of Representatives and its House Speaker, Paul Ryan, have shown the way to other democratic countries which may be facing similar sexual harassment type behaviour from elected representatives towards women, on how to deal with such matters in a strict way.
Here are the contents of Congressman Trent Franks resignation statement:
Congressman Trent Franks statement on leaving Congress
I have always tried to create a very warm and supportive atmosphere for every last person who has ever worked in my congressional office. It is my deepest conviction that there are many staffers, former and present, who would readily volunteer to substantiate this fact.
Given the nature of numerous allegations and reports across America in recent weeks, I want to first make one thing completely clear. I have absolutely never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.
However, I do want to take full and personal responsibility for the ways I have broached a topic that, unbeknownst to me until very recently, made certain individuals uncomfortable. And so, I want to shed light on how those conversations came about.
My wife and I have long struggled with infertility. We experienced three miscarriages.
We pursued adoption on more than one occasion only to have the adoptive mothers in each case change their mind prior to giving birth.
A wonderful and loving lady, to whom we will be forever grateful, acted as a gestational surrogate for our twins and was able to carry them successfully to live birth. The process by which they were conceived was a pro-life approach that did not discard or throw away any embryos.
My son and daughter are unspeakable gifts of God that have brought us our greatest earthly happiness in the 37 years we have been married.
When our twins were approximately 3 years old, we made a second attempt with a second surrogate who was also not genetically related to the child. Sadly, that pregnancy also resulted in miscarriage.
We continued to have a desire to have at least one additional sibling, for which our children had made repeated requests.
Due to my familiarity and experience with the process of surrogacy, I clearly became insensitive as to how the discussion of such an intensely personal topic might affect others.
I have recently learned that the Ethics Committee is reviewing an inquiry regarding my discussion of surrogacy with two previous female subordinates, making each feel uncomfortable. I deeply regret that my discussion of this option and process in the workplace caused distress.
We are in an unusual moment in history – there is collective focus on a very important problem of justice and sexual impropriety. It is so important that we get this right for everyone, especially for victims.
But in the midst of this current cultural and media climate, I am deeply convinced I would be unable to complete a fair House Ethics investigation before distorted and sensationalized versions of this story would put me, my family, my staff, and my noble colleagues in the House of Representatives through hyperbolized public excoriation. Rather than allow a sensationalized trial by media damage those things I love most, this morning I notified House leadership that I will be leaving Congress as of January 31st, 2018. It is with the greatest sadness, that for the sake of the causes I deeply love, I must now step back from the battle I have spent over three decades fighting. I hope my resignation will remain distinct from the great gains we have made. My time in Congress serving my constituents, America and the Constitution is and will remain one of God’s greatest gift to me in life.
--- end contents of Congressman Franks' statement ----
Ravi: Later the Congressman advanced his resignation to Friday, 8th December 2017 citing his wife's hospitalization a day earlier.
I wish former USA Congressman Trent Franks and his family all the best for the future. I also wish the lady(ies) who made the complaint against him, all the best.
This is a truly extraordinary period in the USA where USA society is so openly dealing with the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace in the USA. I admire USA society for having such a public conversation with the objective of facing up to the reality of the problem even if it is very uncomfortable to do so, with an intention of making a change in USA society for the better. I even think it is inspiring to see such efforts. May God bless the USA and its people for such efforts aimed at making USA society better.
[I thank USA (former) Congressman Trent Franks and washingtonpost.com and have presumed that they will not have any objections to me sharing the above statement of Mr. Franks and short extracts from/references to washingtonpost.com website on this post which is freely viewable by all, and does not have any financial profit motive whatsoever.]
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